Apparatus for electroplating pipes, &amp;c.



D. H. MURPHY. APPARATUS FOR ELEGTROPLATING PIPES, &c.

I APPLICATION FILED JUNE 1;1908. I

962,655. Patented June 28, 1910.

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'D. H. MURPHY. APPARATUS FOR ELEUTROPLATING PIPES, &c.

APPLIUATIONTILED JUNE 1, 1908. v v 962,655. Patented June 28, 1910.

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XW I] aniel H. MUI" M Z, By

Amid- UNITED sTAqps PATENT OFFICE.

DANIEL HAYES MURPHY, OF CASTLE, PENNSYLVANIA.

' APPARATUS FOR ELECTROPLATING PIPES, &c'.

ceases.

Application filed June 1 1908. Serial No. 4 5,951.

reuce and State of Pennsylvania, have invented'a new and useful Apparatus for Electroplating Pipes, &c., of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide an improved means for electroplating pipes,

' &c., and consistsin ap aratus adapted to efiect the plating opera qion effectively and uniformly over the exterior and interior surfaces of the ipe.

In Patent 0. 89l',361,date'd June 23, 1908, l have shown a means for plating pipe, rods, &c., in which serious difficulties existing in processes before my invention, are elimi- I nated.

My presentiinvention has for its object the accomplishment of results similar to those accomplished by my patent referred to, but in the present application dili'erent means are used. results.

' In my present invention I use a tank to contain the plating solution, and in this tank, by suitable means, the pipe or rods to be plated are supported and have a reciprocating rotary motion imparted. thereto, as

for accomplishing these a result of which the entire external surface of the rods or pipe is exposed to the plating operation, with the result that a uniform deposit is secured. By this means I obviate the necessity for having a large tank, which would be required were the rotary motion of the rods or pipe a continuous one, and inthis way the disadvantages incident to an extensive equipment are avoided.

In the plating of pipe I make use of anodes consisting ofmetal rods located inside of the pipe, and provide means by which the reciprocating rotary motion referred to displaces the pipe relatively to the internal anodes in such. a way that the inside surface of the pipe receives a uniform deposit of the material used-in the, plating operatic My present invention also contemplate improved means for handling the'r'odswor pipe in placing them in the plating-tanks and removing them therefrom, bywliich a single handling mechanism-1s able to serve b p a number of plating tanks, at the-sametime.

Other features of my invention Wiliappear in connection with the-description of the apparatus usedwhwh isgiven below.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 28, 1910.

SQV

the parts shown in Fig. 1, taken along the dotted line rc;c,- Fig. 3 18 a transverse sec-- tional view of the parts shown in Fig. 1,

a detail view of the mechanism used to displace the internal anodes longitudinally of the pipe as such pipe are rotated reciprocally in the tank, such view being taken along the dotted line m-w as. shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a detail view of a hoisting mechanism that may be used in connection with my apparatus for supplying the pipe v to tanks and delivering them therefrom, and Fig. G-is a diagrammaticview of a crane that may be used to advantage to' support the hoisting mechanism shown over the several tanks used.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views. I

Referring to Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, the tank 1 is so proportioned as to contain the rods Q -and pipe 2 to be plated and the anodes and plating solution to be used in the apparatus. Located transversely of this tank, and on the bottom thereof, are the bars 2525, preferably of non-conducting material, as wood, supporting in their upper surfaces the, conductors 88upon which the rods and pipe are adapted'to be supported. The rods and pipe when in position in the tank are kept separate one from the other by means of spacing members comprising pins 5 carried by cross bars 4, which cross bars are s'u ported in turn by the carriers'fl supporte "upon rollers 7 and-7", as indicated. The bars 4 and carriers 4 extend beneath the rods and pipe, but out of contact therewith, from which when the'carriers 4 are reciproc'ated the pins 5 engage the rods or pipe and roll them reciprocally upon the conductors 8.

r The c'arriers; are shown as supported, both inside ,andloutside of the tank 1 by means of rollers 7 and 7, respectively, but in some casesj .where it is objectionable to support th se .carri'ers'from the inside of the tank, 'tably proportioning the carriers 4, the .Qllers 7 may bezused alone. In order .to'eciprocate the carriers t upon the jrolleilslli'intioried, these carriers are connectled atone end bymeans of a rod l connectin Fig. 5

taken along the dotted line y1 Fig. at" is ed at its ends by connecting rods EEO-20 with crank disks 21--21 carried by a shaft 22 supported in suitable bearings, as indicated, and adapted to be driven by a wheel or pulley 23. A series of anodes 9 are located below the rods or pipe and in close-proximity thereto, to facilitate the plating operation. Similar anodes 10 are located immediately above the '2. The internal anodes have wrapped spirally around them strips of insulating material 3 for the purpose of preventing electrical contact between such anodes and the inside surface of the pipe. The lefthand ends of the anodes 3, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, are adapted to be secured to abar 12 by means of cam levers 12 as shown in Fig. 4c, the anodes 3 having been first insorted in suitable slots 12 insuch bar 12. The bar 12 is supported at its endsb'y'links 13 from the left-hand end of the tank 1 in such a way that as the pipe 2 are moved reciprocally in the tank 1, the bar 12 is alternately moved nearer toand farther from the left-hand end of the tank, as a result of which the internal anodes 3 are moved longitudinally of the pipe. By this construction, the rods 2, the pipe 2-, the internal anodes 3 and the connecting bar 12 may be together removed from or placed in the tank by means of the carrier bars 1 The bar 12 constitutes a convenient means for inserting the'anodes 3 in the pipe 2 or for removing the anodes therefrom. In this connection it is to be observed that the frame 24:, while it permits this motion of the anodes 3, prevents displacement of these anodes in the pipe laterally as the pipe are moved by the pinsh. In the drawings, the space between the pins 5 and the rods or pipe is purposely exaggerated to more clearly show the operation of the mechanism, and it is to be understood that in practice the clearance between the pins 5 and the rods or pipe would be comparatively small, and that separate bars 4-4 would be used for different sized rods or pipe. l

The bar 12 is composed preferably of conducting material, and is connected by wire 15 through resistance 17 and regulating switch 16 with one terminal of the electric generator 18. The wire 15 also connects this same terminal of the generator with the anodes 9 and 10. The other terminal of the generator 18 is connected by wire -14 with the conductors 8, by which it will be undei stood an electric circuit is completed from season the several anodes through the solution in the tank 1 to the rods or pipe, and thus to the conductors 8, and back to the genera tor 18.

The bars l --46 are adapted to be removed from the carrier frames l- .t by means of hook bolts 6-45 secured in the ends of the bars 41- 1, and these bars therefore constitute a means by which the rods and pipemay be removed from the tank after removing the upper anodes 10-10. The bars i -48 are normally retained in proper position in the carrier frames 1 by means of the corner plates l 1", shown in Fig. 3, which alsoconstitute a stiifening means for the carrier frames. v

As a means for handling the rods or pipe and placing them in the tank 1. or removing them therefrom, 'a hoisting mechanism, shown in Fig. 5, may be employed, which consists in a cylinder 26 supported by a rope 27 from a swinging crane 30, shown in Fig. 6, such cylinder 26 being preferably operated by means of compressed air. The cylinder 26 is adapted to support and raise or lower, by means of a hook secured at the lower end of its piston rod, a spreader 28 from which a number of rings 29ers supported by chains or ,other suitable means,

as indicated, insuch a position asto engage the several books on the upper ends of the hook bolts 6. The rope 2 provides a convenient means for adjusting the cylinder 26 to the proper position vertically, and by disposing a number of tanks as indicated, at 1*, 1 -1"-1, ,in Fig. 6, the same crane 3d and cylinder 26 may be used to place the pipe in the tanks or remove them there from, whether all of these tanks be used for plating on some of. them for preparing the rodsor pipe for the plating operation. as may be the case. if By this means it will be observed that the pipe as delivered to the crane 30 may be prepared for the plating operation and then delivered to any one of a number of plating tanks, after which they may be washed, if desired, and delivered to the stock pile without interfering with the plating of other lots of rods or pipe in others of the same series of tanks.

In the operation :of my mechanism, 1 pro for to employ internal anodes of another material than that to be plated, and have found that iron or steel answers very well for this material, and is preferable to other materials, since it is stronger and stifier, and does not produce as rapid a plating operation as though it were made of the ma terial to be deposited. This slower electrolytic action is desirable inside the pipe, since the distances between the anodes and the pipe are less than between the anodes out side of the pipe and the outside surface of the pipe, and I have found that the material contained in the plating solution fur ll ill ll i nishe's a sufficient deposit inside of the pipe 1 moving the internal anodes longitudinally,

on account of this diiierence in distance,'

assess while, on the. other hand, if the same row terial were used in the internal anodes that is used in the external anodes the deposit inside the pipe would be excessive.

While I have shown the particular systom herein described for handling the rods or pipe and placing them in and removing them from the several tanks, I may use any equivalent hoisting and conveying means for accomplishing the same result Without departing from the spirit of my invention.

While I have shown myinvention in the particular embodiment herein described, I do not, however, limit myself to this construction, but desire to claim broadly any equivalent modification that will suggest it self to those skilled in the. art.

What I claim is:

1. As a means for electroplating rods or pipe, a tank containing a platin solution, conductors for supporting the rods or pipe in thesolution, anodes in the solution, a source of electric energy, a circuit leading from such source of energy through the anodes, the solution and such rods or pipe, and means for moving the rods or pipe laterally in the tank and thereby imparting a reciprocal rotation thereto. I

2. As a means for electroplating pipe, a tank containing a plating solution, means for supporting thepipe in the solution, in

"ternal anodes in the pipe in the solution, a

i ource of electric energy, a circuit from the source through the anodes, the solution and. the pipe, means for preventing longitudinal motion of the pipe in the tank, means for reciprocating the pipe laterally in the tank and thereby rotating the same, and means for moving the internal anodes longitudinally hi the pipe.

As a means for electroplating pipe, a. tank containing a plating solution, 'rncans for supporting the pipe in the solution, internal anodes in the pipe in the solution, a source of electric energy, a circuit closed from the source through the anodes, the solution and the pipe, means for preventing longitudinal motion of the pipe in the tank, means for reciprocating the pipe laterally in thetank and thereby rotating the some, and means for mpving the internal anodes longitudinally of the pipe by the lateral displacement of the pipe in the-tank.

4. As a means for electroplating pipe, a tank containing a plating solution, means for supporting the pipein the solution, anodes 1n the solution outside of the pipe, internal anodes in the pipe in the solution, a source of current, a circuit leading from the source through the anodes, the solution andthe pipe, means for movingthe pipe laterally in the tank and thereby imparting a reciprocal rotation thereto, and'means for ewe of the pipe.

its means for electroplating pipe, a

tank containing a plating solution, meanspipe, a tank containing a pating solution,

conductors for supporting the rods or pipe in the solution, anodes in the solution, an electric circuit including the anodes, the so lutionand the rods or pipe, means'for reciprocating the rods or pipe laterally in the tank and thereby rotating the same, and means for preventing the rods or pipe C0111- ing in contact with each other.

As a means for electroplating rod or pipe, a. tank containing a plating solution, conductors for'supportlng the rods or pipe .in the solution, anodes in the solution, an electric circuit including the anodes, the solotion. and the rods or pipe, means for reciprocating the rods or pipe laterally in the tank and thereby rotating the same, and

act with each other, the means .ing in cor.

pipe being removable for i'i'ioviiig 1'. 1e rods or from the tank;

8. its a. means for electroplating. rods or pipe, a tank containing a. plating solution, conductors for supporting the rods or pipe in the plating solution, anodes in the solution, an electric circuit through the anodes, the, soluti. the rods or pipe and the condoctors, ant means for reciprocating the rods or pipe laterally in the tank and thereby rotating the same. l y

9. As a means for-electroplating pipe, a tank containing a plating solution, fixed conductors for supporting-the pipe inthe solution, anodes in the solution o-utsideoof the pipe, internal anodes in the pipe in the solution, asource of electric current, a circuit iron 1 source through the anodes, the solutirni, pipe and the conductors, means for i'nov the pipe laterally in the tank and. thereby imparting a reciprocal rotation tl'iereto, and means for moving the internal anodes hingitudinally of the pipe by the lateral Q laceinent of the pipe in the tank.

10. As a means for electroplating rods or pipe, a tank containing a. plating solution,

fixed. cmiduotors located laterally across the bottom of such tank for supporting the rods '01 pipe in the plating solution, .anodes of the material to be deposited located in the solution beneath the rods or pipeyan elec- 'means for preventing the rods or pipe c0mtric circuit through the anodes, the solution and the rods or pipe, reciprocating frames supported in the tank and adapted to engage the rods or pipe, and means for moving such reciprocating frames consisting in connect ing rods, cranks and a driving shaft associated therewith. i

11. As a meansfor electroplating pipe, a

' tank containing aplating solution, fixed conductors supported laterally with respect ,to the tank and adapted in turn to support the pipe in the solution, internal anodes of a material other than that to be deposited located in the pipe in the solution, means for preventing electrical contact between the anodes and the pipe, removable means for preventing rotation of the internal anodes, an electric circuit leading through the anodes, the solution'and the pipe, conveyer frames forre ciprocating the pipe laterally in the tank and thereby rotating the same, frames secured to the conveyer frames for preventing longitudinal motion of the pipe in the tank, and link connections between the internal anodes and the tank by which the lateral displacement'of the pipe in the tank effects a longitudinal motion of the internal anodes in the pipe. a

r 12.; As a means for electroplating pipe, a tankcontaining a plating solution, fixed lateral conductors supported from the bottom of the tank and in turnsupporting in the solution the pipe to be plated, anodes of 1 .the material to be deposited locatej thereto, frames supportedfrom the conveyer frames for reve'nting longitudinal motion of the pipe in the tank, mechanism serving to move the internal anodes longitudinally in the pipe assuch pipes are displaced laterally in the tank, and pins supported by members carried by the conveyer frame,

such pins constituting means for separat- 'ing the pipes from one another, such members constituting a means for plac ng the pipe in and removing the pipe from the tank. r

13, As a means for electroplating rods or pipe, a tank containing a plating solution means for supporting the rods or pipe in' the solution, anodesin the solution, a circuitadapted to be closed from a source of electric energy thmi s [such t s s l tes and eating thefrdds or pipe, and .3;hershy rotating the means $0.1?

such rods or pipe, means for reciprocating the rods or pipe laterall T in the tank, and pins for engaging the ro s or pipe to rotate the same when the reciprocating means is operated.

14. As a means for electroplating pipe, a tank containing a plating solution, means for supporting the pipe in the solution, in-

ternal anodes in the pipe in the solution, a

circuit adapted to be closed from a source of electric energy through such anodes, solution and such pipe, means for preventing longitudinal motion of the pipe in the tank, means for reciprocating the pipe laterally in the tank, pins for engaging the pipe to rotate. the same when the reciprocating means is operated, and means for moving the internal anodes longitudinally of the pipe.

15. As a means for electroplating rods or pipe, a tank containing a plating solution, conductors for supporting the rods or pipe in the plating solution, anodes in the solu tion, a circuit adapted to be closed from a source of electric energy through such anodes, solution, rods or pipe and such conductors, means for reciprocating the rods or pipe laterally in the tank, and pins for en gaging the rods or pipe to rotate the same when the reciprocating means is operated.

, 16. As a means for electroplating rods or pipe, a tank containing a plating solution, means for supporting the rods or pipe in the solution, anodes in the solution, a circuit adapted to be closed from a source of electric energy through such anodes, solution and such rods or pipe, reciprocable members in the, tank, and pins carried by such members $01 engaging the rods or pipe to cause rotaion thereof when such members are reciprocated.

17. In combination, an electrolytic tank containing a plating solution, conductors lo cated in the tank for supportin rods or pipe in the plating solution, anon es located in the solution, an electric circuit through the anodes, the solution and the rods or pipe to be lated," reciprocating frames sup ported in the tank and adapted to engage the rods or pipe, and means for moving such v reciprocating frames.

.18. In an apparatus for electroplating rods or pipe, a tank cdntaining a plating solution, means for supporting the rods or pipe in the solution, means for reciprocatin the rods or pipe laterally in the tankand thereby rotating the same, and means out of contact with the rods or pipe While in the solution for removing the rods or pipe from the tank.

19. In an apparatus for electroplating rods or pipe, a tank containing a plating solution, conductors for supporting the rods or pipe in the solution means for recipro- V n a imaj hs tankeeaeae preventing the rods or pipe coming in contact With each other, and means for removing the rods or pipe from the tank.

20. In combination, a tankcontaining a plating solution, means located in the tank for supporting the rods or pipe in the solution, and removable members supported in the tank out of contact with the rods or pipe but adapted to engage the rods or pipe, when removed from the tank to remove the rods or pipe from the tank.

21. In combination, a tank containing a plating solution, conductors located in the tank for supporting rods or pipe in the solu- 'tion, and removable members supported in the tank and adapted tosengage the rods or pipe, such members adapted by their removal to remove the rods or pipe from the tank.

22. In combination, a tank containing a plating solution, means located in the tank for supporting the rods or pipe in the solution, removable members supported in" the tank out of engagement with the rods or pipe but adaptedvto engage the rods or pipe When removed from the tank, and means for reciprocating such members, such members adapted by their removal to remove the rods or pipe from the tank.

23. In combination, a tank containing a plating solution, conductors located in the tank for supporting rods or pipe in the solution, removable men'ibers supported in the tank and adapted to engage the rods or pipe, and means for reciprocating such members, such members adapted by their removal remove the rods or-pipe from the tank.

24. In combination, an electrolytic bath, a framework carrying means for determining the location of the articles to be plated. relatively to one another, means for supporting said articles out of contact with said framework proper and means for causing the reciproea ifln 0, said framework, the

.such rods or p" here being substantially parallel and r I same horizontal plane, the reds or pipe be removal of the framework from the bath serving to remove from the bath the articles to be plated.

2-5. In combination, an electrolyticbath, a framework carrying means for determining the location of the articles to be plated relatively to one another, means for supporting said articles out of contact with the framework proper, means for causing the reciprocation of said framework, and means for causing rotation of the articles to be plated when reciprocated by frame- Work, the removal of the framework from the bath serving to remove from the barn the articles to be plied,

26. As a means for supporting pipe in a solution fer platin o ment, frames 21 e, each or" sisting in a horizontal on v means secured thereto for i hoisting mechanism for placing s able the frame in or removing it from the solution, said cross members bemn' substantially paralieh ;ontal plane, 1e

and in the same h or pipe being laid neon.

2;. As a means :rcr supporting rods or pipe 111 a solution for plating or other treatment frames ada' ted to a pluralit i of a P a a such rods or pipe, each of such rrames consisting in a horizontal cross m means secured thereto for e r hoisting mechanism for L or removing it from the s carried by each of such It lies e ings the rods or ipe coming in cement with the adjacent recs or pipe, said cross ing laid thereon.

DANIEL Witnesses Hearse n.- 

